Amid Racist Allegation, FG Revokes Seplat CEO Work Visa, Work Permit

The Federal Government through the Ministry of Interior has revoked the Visa, Work and Residency permit granted to Seplat CEO, Roger Thomas Brown.

The ministry alleged that Roger engaged in racism and discrimination behaviour levelled against him by some Nigerian workers and stakeholders of the company.

The federal government equally alleged that Brown failed to honour invitations by the panel set up to investigate the matter.   

According to the letter which was addressed to the Board Chairman of Seplat Energy Plc by the Minister of Internal Affairs, Roger Brown declined to honour two invitations extended to him.

The letter which was published in a number of newspapers and sighted by Investors King partly read, “I write to inform you that the Ministry is in receipt of a petition from the Solicitor to the concerned workers and stakeholders of Seplat Energy PLC accusing Mr Rogers Thomson Brown, the CEO of the companies of various allegations.

“These accusations include racism, favouring foreign workers and discriminating against Nigerian employees”. 

“Testimony was received from several witnesses, which supported the allegations. Mr Roger T. Brown declined to attend despite two invitations, claiming to be unavailable even though we learnt he was in Abuja for other purposes at the time”. 

“Consequently, the Ministry has withdrawn the Work Permit CERPAC, Visa, Residence Permit and all relevant documents that authorised Mr. Roger Thomson Brown’s entry or stay in Nigeria”. 

Investors King understands that some workers and stakeholders of the company’s approached a Federal high court in Lagos where they instituted a legal proceeding against Roger Brown and the company. 

About Seplat Energy 

Founded in June 2009, Seplat Energy is Nigeria’s leading energy supplier with operations both in the upstream and downstream oil and gas sector.  It is listed on both the London Stock Exchange (LSE) and the Nigerian Exchange Limited. 

In August 2022, the company showed interest in the purchase of assets belonging to ExxonMobil Nigeria in a deal worth between $1.3 billion to $1.6 billion.